There was a feelgood factor around Fratton Park from start to finish.
Buoyed by booking a date at Wembley earlier in the week, there was plenty for the fans to get excited about during a League One clash with Bradford.
Ben Close bagged a brace, while Gareth Evans’ penalty and goals from Tom Naylor and Jamal Lowe sealed a 5-1 rout.
It brought to an end a run of five successive league draws and Joe Gallen believes the Blues’ fortunes are turning.
Pompey’s assistant manager said: “Lots have decisions haven’t been going our way in the past few months – penalties, free-kicks, disallowed goals.
“So I just get a feeling that things are changing for us because even the other night at Bury there was a question mark over Close’s free-kick that we scored from.
"We know we have to go on a run and that’s something we’re certainly capable of, so hopefully this is the start."
“Now we’ve been given a penalty and that’s what got us going, so hopefully the luck is starting to turn for us.
“We’re in a really good place at the moment, while maybe a few weeks ago things were wobbling a bit.
“Going to Wembley and hearing the fans singing about it resulted in a really positive stadium, although it’s up to the players to get them feeling like that.
“We put on a really good attacking performance. We want them to get the ball down and play through midfield, and are constantly telling them that.
“The lads did that to great effect at times. It was exactly what we’ve asked them to do, although it does require confidence, which seems to be there now.
“We know we have to go on a run and that’s something we’re certainly capable of, so hopefully this is the start.”
There was a bizarre moment during the second half when a drone hovered over the stadium, leading to a brief break in play.
Gallen said: “I didn’t really see it and I couldn’t believe that meant we had to stop the game – perhaps I’m a bit naïve with that. But the referee seemed worried about it and it was quite funny.”